Kayogoro: a census based on political affiliation worries opponents

Opposition political activists say they fear the worst following a census that began this Wednesday, June 7 on all the hills of the commune of Kayogoro, in the province of Makamba (southern Burundi). This census of the population by political affiliation is carried out by members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD party, the Imbonerakure. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

According to sources in the commune of Kayogoro, this census began this Wednesday, June 7 on all the hills of this commune.

The count concerns CNDD-FDD activists and those of the opposition, by gender and age group.

The same sources specify that the Imbonerakure who carry out this census go from household to household in all the sub-hills, hills and zones.

According to sources within the Imbonerakure who are carrying out this census, this survey aims to intimidate opposition activists so that they do not dare to speak out about their opposition membership.

“This would allow us to defraud the next elections”, assure Imbonerakure who confided in SOS Médias Burundi.

“This would justify that there are no opposition party activists in different hills and that therefore the opposition would not have the right to make claims”, indicates, under anonymity, an Imbonerakure of the locality.

Within the opposition, activists report that they live in panic fear because according to them, “this could lead to killings of opposition activists”.

They ask the country’s authorities to halt as soon as possible the operation. The communal administration and the local representation of the presidential party were not available to answer our questions.